I’m often asked the best way to homeschool. If you’ve been homeschooling a while, I’ll bet you get asked this question, too.

After being in this industry for 20 years, I’ve seen lots of different products and studied lots of different methods and theories. Yet, despite my experience, when someone asks me the best way to homeschool, I never start by recommending products, methods and theories. What I do instead, is start exploring their WHY.

Some families know their WHY and can articulate it easily. For others, it takes some discussion before getting to the real reason they’re homeschooling, or the underlying circumstances prompting them to make the choice. Armed with the information they share, I can make recommendations to fit the situation. It helps me help them, since I can customize suggestions to their experiences and present goals.

Do You Know Your WHY?

In my experience, not every family stops to think about their WHY. At least not at first. In a world of social media and Pinterest, it’s become so easy to copy what other people are doing and assume it’ll work for us. With homeschooling growing so rapidly, families can be quick to jump on board without taking the time to sort out all the details first.

What is a WHY?

A WHY is the reason for doing something. In the case of homeschooling, there can be many WHYs, and they may even be different for different children in the family.

For homeschoolers of the past, WHY(s) might’ve looked something like:

religion

geography

autonomy

For modern homeschoolers, WHY(s) often include things like:

failing schools

failing kids

drugs and violence

cliques and bullying

excessive testing or homework

lack of resources, loss of crucial programs

highly sexualized school culture

little recognition of children who learn “differently”

Thanks to an awareness of different schooling options, the modern WHY also includes a lot of things like:

wanting to create a more relaxed pace lifestyle

allowing students to focus on talents and interests

shoring up skills in some areas while skipping ahead in others

creating time during the day to pursue other things

removing children from the classroom to explore the world around them

I devote an entire chapter in Suddenly Homeschooling to explaining the modern WHY, if you’re interested in learning more about this.

Then what?

Once you’ve identified your WHY is when the real progress begins. You’ll stop thinking about what you should be doing or what everybody else is doing. Instead, your choices become clear, since you’re focused on your WHYs.

If, for example, catching up a student in certain skill areas where they’ve been lagging is one of your WHYs, choosing resources for that will become an important part of your homeschool design.

If frequent travel is one of your WHYs, designing a flexible school year using adaptable products and experiences might become your design.

If your WHY is to include time for your child to practice a skill all morning, completing schoolwork in the afternoons or weekends will start to dictate your overall plan.

If you’re still reading, and still looking for the best way to homeschool, it’s probably time to make a list of WHYs. Take some time to look deep into reasons you want to homeschool (or are continuing) and what you truly hope to accomplish by doing it. (And if you’re homeschooling multiple kids, have a list of WHYs for every child, too.)

After doing this exercise, I guarantee choices will start to rise to the surface. You might even want to carry the list around as you shop for products, register for classes, and plan a schedule for your family this year.

The optimal education is different in every family and for every child. Knowing your WHY is the key to finding the best solution all around.

To your success,

Dr. Marie-Claire Moreau is a college professor who traded in her tenure to become a homeschool mom 20+ years ago. A homeschooling pioneer and the founder of many groups and organizations, she works to advance home education, and is an outspoken supporter of education reform coast to coast. Her book, Suddenly Homeschooling: A Quick Start Guide to Legally Homeschool in Two Weeks, is industry-acclaimed as it illustrates how homeschooling can rescue children and families from the public school system, and how anyone can begin homeschooling within a limited time-frame, with no teaching background whatsoever. A writer, a homeschool leader, and a women’s life coach, Marie-Claire mentors in a variety of areas that impact health, education and lifestyle. A conference speaker, she has appeared at FPEA, H.E.R.I., Home Education Council of America, The Luminous Mind, Vintage Homeschool Moms, iHomeschool Network, and many other events. Her articles have appeared in and on Holistic Parenting, CONNECT,Homefires, Homemaking Cottage, Kiwi, Circle of Moms, and hundreds of sites and blogs nationwide. Marie-Claire can be reached at contactmarieclaire@gmail.com.

Parents often ask if homeschooling high school is different from homeschooling the earlier grades. They may ask the question directly, or express it through questions like these:

How do you teach everything if you don’t really remember it all?

Don’t you have to know all the subjects really well?

Aren’t you worried your child might not be prepared for college?

Don’t you have to be really smart?

Don’t most kids go back to school for high school?

What do you do if you can’t help with the really hard classes?

Do you worry about screwing everything up?

I’ve listed some articles at the bottom that contain in depth answers to every one of those questions. Today, I want to generally discuss the differences between homeschooling high school years versus homeschooling elementary and middle. (By the way, some refer to high school as “secondary” or “upper” school, in case this comes up in your research one day.)

Please know if you’re concerned about high school, you are not alone. Many parents feel anxious nearing the high school years. Many more parents express concern over “doing it right”. That’s why homeschool advisors like me spend so much time writing about the teen years. We remember feeling this way ourselves, and we want to help others do it successfully (and without worry) themselves.

So, is teaching high school any different?

Yes and no.

In many ways, homeschooling teens is a lot like what you’ve been doing all along. It’s basically the same amountof work, the same commitment and level of responsibility, and you follow the same legal requirements (if any) you did all the previous years. It’s similar in that you care just as much about your child as you did before, and you’re just as invested in your child’s success as you’ve always been.

In in terms of your personal involvement, homeschooling high school is still the full time job it was in the earlier grades.

What changes during high school is the roles you play. Your role changes into that of an administrator, and your student does by himself many of the things you used to do together.

Some of the differences are gradual, phasing in as your student matures, sometimes taking years before your student reaches a certain level of responsibility and independence.

Other changes start smack dab at the beginning of high school because they’re related to the procedures, classes or other expectations that begin on the first day of doing 9th grade work.

It depends on the people, of course, but at some point, parents begin to realize it isn’t elementary any more. They notice high school takes on a a different feel from middle school, too. In my observations, parents can assign a different level of importance to homeschooling the high school years. Perhaps because it’s the end of the journey, high schooling parents seem to view their efforts as being even more serious than in the past, if that’s possible.

If you’ve been down the high school road before, you might see yourself in this next section. You may find yourself nodding in agreement, as I think most parents of homeschooled teens share similar stories.

After high schooling all of my kids and meeting with hundreds of families of teens over the years, these are the things I have noticed we all have in common. I’ve created a list of some of the things you might find yourself feeling and doing when beginning to homeschool your teen.

You begin outsourcing some of the learning, instead of always purchasing products to be completed at home.

You encourage your student to take more responsibility over her education and her future.

You allow your student more participation and decision-making power over what to learn and do.

Sometimes you feel more like a chauffeur, financier, or social director than a Principal or coordinator.

Record-keeping and organization become more important than ever before.

The decisions you make feel more important, and seem to have much more weight than ever before.

Your record-keeping duties greatly increase in volume and complexity.

You’re excited for your student, yet you question yourself more than ever before.

Depending on where you started, these changes could seem dramatic or not a big deal at all. But, if you are feeling as though the duties of a high school coordinator and book-keeper seem daunting, remember they’re offset by all the other things you no longer have to do. So, since you’re no longer helping your child finish math problems, you can be working on a high school transcript instead. And, since you no longer have to correct homework assignment and assessments, you can be figuring out high school credits and GPA scores instead.

I love talking to parents who ask if homeschooling high school is different, or more difficult. It means they’re dead serious about doing a great job, and therefore probably going to be very successful doing it.

Dr. Marie-Claire Moreau is a college professor who traded in her tenure to become a homeschool mom 20+ years ago. A homeschooling pioneer and the founder of many groups and organizations, she works to advance home education, and is an outspoken supporter of education reform coast to coast. Her book, Suddenly Homeschooling: A Quick Start Guide to Legally Homeschool in Two Weeks, is industry-acclaimed as it illustrates how homeschooling can rescue children and families from the public school system, and how anyone can begin homeschooling within a limited time-frame, with no teaching background whatsoever. A writer, a homeschool leader, and a women’s life coach, Marie-Claire mentors in a variety of areas that impact health, education and lifestyle. A conference speaker, she has appeared at FPEA, H.E.R.I., Home Education Council of America, The Luminous Mind, Vintage Homeschool Moms, iHomeschool Network, and many other events. Her articles have appeared in and on Holistic Parenting, CONNECT,Homefires, Homemaking Cottage, Kiwi, Circle of Moms, and hundreds of sites and blogs nationwide. Marie-Claire can be reached at contactmarieclaire@gmail.com.

I was speaking before a group of would-be homeschool parents in someone’s living room a while back. It was an educated group, impressively well-informed as to the pros and cons of home education. I got the sense there had been quite a bit of research and discussion prior to our getting together. They fired at me one outstanding question after another during the Q&A. I was honored to serve these folks as they considered making important decisions on behalf of their children.

Now, I don’t normally tattle off the playground, but I’d like to use part of my experience that day as a teaching moment. No judgement of any kind, but there was a question that made me want to write this for you.

One of the parents asked a question about homeschoolers and communication skills.

“Do they know how to communicate?”, he asked. Another parent voiced something similar, saying, “How do they actually learn to talk with other people?” Before I even opened my mouth, I totally felt the vibration of the room changing. The thought of homeschoolers being disadvantaged in this way started spreading around the room like a bad stink.

I paused for a second, thinking how to finesse my reply while wondering where their information could have come from. Was there some news article I’d missed? Some research I didn’t know about? Maybe it came from listening to one too many public school advocates. Perhaps they’d encountered a painfully timid child…who’d been homeschooled?

To be honest, I also didn’t see that question coming. I’ve spent a fair amount of time dispelling the socialization myth, and I’m well acquainted with the homeschoolers-are-weird stories, too. But, homeschoolers unable to communicate? This was new to me. It felt like one of those my-word-against-yours moments, the kind nobody ever wins. This was clearly something concerning these parents, but I was feeling like their experiences might be hard to undo.

I decided to start with my standard research schpiel: top scorers in testing, top finishers in college, top, top, top, numbers, numbers, numbers. I continued with some homeschoolers-now-adults stories: happily employed, active voters, community service, good people, good people, good people. And I ended with the world of opportunities allowing homeschoolers to interact with all kinds of people, of all ages, in all corners of the wide, wide world. Surely people would need reasonable communication skills to do all of that, I reasoned.

I could tell they weren’t entirely convinced. A retired teacher said she’d met homeschoolers who were very, very shy. Another person said she’d met a homeschooled child who looked down when he spoke, muttering indistinctly.

I decided to go in a different direction. I deployed an argument in support of human differences, child development and basic logic. I ended up saying something along the lines of what you see below. The parents understood what I was thinking completely, and everyone seemed a lot more comfortable by the end of the meeting.

I’ve outlined my feelings about homeschoolers and communication skills, below. You’re more than welcome to use my notes if you ever need to discuss this yourself.

I began:

Homeschooled kids are just kids

All kids are different

Some kids are more timid and some kids are more outgoing

Some kids are better communicators than others

But, being homeschooled isn’t going to fundamentally change who the child is

Similarly,

Public school kids are just kids, too

All kids are all different

Some kids are more timid and some kids are more outgoing

Some kids are better communicators than others

But, going to public school isn’t going to fundamentally change who the child is

I continued:

Can communication skills be improved?

Probably

Can they be modeled, taught and practiced at home?

Certainly

What about in school?

Of course

I asked:

Do public school kids get called out for being themselves?

Why is anyone concerned when homeschooled kids act like themselves?

I ended:

There are all kinds of communicators

It’s not about the kind of school a child attends, or doesn’t

It’s about a child’s basic personality and some combination of training and practice

Do you agree?

I’ve learned I have to be direct when things are this important. The truth is, and what I hope I emphasized enough to these parents, homeschoolers are actually exceptional communicators. I’ve worked with students across all educational platforms for many years, and though there are great communicators everywhere, hands-down, the best ones are always the homeschoolers. I’m talking mature, confident, articulate students coming out of the homeschool community. Outstanding presenters, debaters, writers, and story-tellers, too.

If you think about it, it makes sense that homeschool flexibility and freedom could result in extra time to spend mastering these skills. It also makes sense when you think about the range of people and activities experienced by a typical homeschooled child today. Don’t forget the supportive environment in which children may express themselves without fear of judgement. Why wouldn’t homeschooled kids grow to be confident speakers, skilled writers and comfortable with the English language?

There’s an area for discussion below this post. Have you encountered similar claims about homeschooled students lacking communication skills, and how have you responded? I’d love to hear from you.

Dr. Marie-Claire Moreau is a college professor who traded in her tenure to become a homeschool mom 20+ years ago. A homeschooling pioneer and the founder of many groups and organizations, she works to advance home education, and is an outspoken supporter of education reform coast to coast. Her book, Suddenly Homeschooling: A Quick Start Guide to Legally Homeschool in Two Weeks, is industry-acclaimed as it illustrates how homeschooling can rescue children and families from the public school system, and how anyone can begin homeschooling within a limited time-frame, with no teaching background whatsoever. A writer, a homeschool leader, and a women’s life coach, Marie-Claire mentors in a variety of areas that impact health, education and lifestyle. A conference speaker, she has appeared at FPEA, H.E.R.I., Home Education Council of America, The Luminous Mind, Vintage Homeschool Moms, iHomeschool Network, and many other events. Her articles have appeared in and on Holistic Parenting, CONNECT,Homefires, Homemaking Cottage, Kiwi, Circle of Moms, and hundreds of sites and blogs nationwide. Marie-Claire can be reached at contactmarieclaire@gmail.com.

A major concern for many home educating parents is how to teach math. Some parents worry they’ve forgotten so much math, they won’t know how to teach it. Others worry about the significance of math, not just as an academic subject, but because of its impact on the bigger picture (i.e., higher level courses like Chemistry; getting accepted to college; success in a career; adult life). The thought of failing the child, or not knowing how to help a child who struggles with math, can be overwhelming.

Personally, I find many parents worry about math unnecessarily. First, there are thousands (literally) of products on the market to help teach math at home…no experience required. Next, I believe most children have a greater ability and a higher aptitude for mathematics than given credit for. I believe math-phobia is wholly fabricated, created over the last 50 years or so. A culture filled with math jokes, stories and other horrors only fuels the belief that math is harder than other subjects. Perception, in my opinion, has contributed unfairly to producing a generation of math-phobics. Certainly some students are better in math than others, just as some are better writers, better athletes, and better musicians. But, nobody is incapable of learning math to some respectable or practical degree.

But, I digress.

I’m going to explain 3 different ways to attack math instruction in your homeschool. These are 3 common ways, ways you can adopt into your home education program right now. They’re not unusual, they’re not very hard to figure out, and thousands of people are using them as I write this, so you’ll find lots of support for your chosen method if you begin looking for it.

I recommend reading through the methods, below, then selecting the one that makes the most sense for your child at this time. Then, as you get to know your child a little more, switch things around if you notice the approach isn’t going to work for the long term. You can also change things around anyway, to add variety and fun to the curriculum. And, by all means, feel free to use different approaches for different children in the family, too. Convenience and saving money notwithstanding, choosing different approaches for different children is really the best way to reach their uniqueness.

Approach #1

Use a Math Curriculum

Perhaps the easiest overall, following a pre-packaged math curriculum is a convenient way to cover an entire year of math using a single product. Following the daily lessons and using the instructions in the guide book tends to insure a variety of topics will be covered in a given year, and that topics will be reinforced until the student gains full mastery. Many people like this approach because they’re not always sure what to teach in every grade, so they feel better knowing someone else has already figured it out. In a 3rd grade math curriculum, for example, parents gain peace of mind, knowing the book will cover all of the usual 3rd grade math concepts, like place value, Roman numerals, carrying, borrowing, money, averaging, and so on. Products like these are organized, convenient, and generally easy to follow, no matter the math level of the parent himself/herself. Packaged curriculum products aren’t perfect, though, and can hold students in a cycle of repeating the same (or similar) material over and over again, even though they’re ready to move on. Knowing when the student is ready to progress to the next level is crucial to successful boxed curriculum use, and using the provided tips and assessments is essential to figuring that out. Examples of boxed math curriculum products include Saxon Math, Horizons Math, Singapore Math, and Math U See, but thereare many more to choose from, too (here’s a big list).

Approach #2

Use Topic Specific Resources

Another way to teach math at home is to cover specific topics, each one at a time. This method requires zeroing in on a specific concept to teach, then finding a resource(s) for the student to learn it. Concepts might include counting money, learning times tables, adding decimals, performing long division with remainders, or anything else parents decide to teach. To teach fractions, for example, parents could use a book specifically about fractions, some video lessons about fractions, some exercises printed from a web site, or a live class where someone is teaching the students about fractions. They might create lessons on their own, using materials they already have around the house, or even small toys or objects to illustrate the ideas. Targeted lessons like these will continue until the topic has been thoroughly explored and the student is showing true mastery, so it is not unusual for different students to take a different amount of time to learn each new concept. Disadvantages to teaching this way is when parents don’t know what concepts to teach, and in what order, or may introduce concepts before the student is actually ready. Some parents lack the confidence to teach in this way, or to properly identify when the student shows enough progress to move on. Examples of targeted math resources, in book form, include The Key To, Kumon, and Spectrum, but there are many other education products available in book stores, retail stores, and online which support this method of instruction. One tool I particularly love is Math Wrap-Ups (find them here).

Approach #3

Explore Math Through Everyday Life

A final way to approach mathematics is to allow the learning to occur naturally through everyday living. There are many opportunities every day to explore mathematical concepts if one is looking for them. Though the example of grocery shopping is over utilized, it certainly illustrates how practically and easily mathematics can be learned and reinforced while doing everyday things. Other examples of seeing math in everyday life might come from cooking, redecorating a bedroom, or in the feeding and nurturing of pets. The impetus to explore more advanced skills could come from opening a bank account, taking a part time job, or starting a small business. The job of a parent utilizing this teaching method is to notice these opportunities and (if they so choose) helping to facilitate the learning that might occur during these moments. Parents might begin by asking the student engaging questions, helping the student make observations, providing support or external resources, or discussing/recording what is being seen or heard. Because this approach is unpredictable and relatively unstructured, a disadvantage is that students may not be learning at a pace similar to other children the same age, which some families may find inconvenient or worrisome. On the other hand, since everyday learning is relevant and concrete, better retention may occur when learning happens at an appropriate place and time. The list of books and other products that could be used in conjunction with this method is limitless and never-ending, but I am including the titles of 2 interesting books/series for students who enjoy reading about the meaning of mathematics, while learning math as a part of everyday life:

Dr. Marie-Claire Moreau is a college professor who traded in her tenure to become a homeschool mom 20+ years ago. A homeschooling pioneer and the founder of many groups and organizations, she works to advance home education, and is an outspoken supporter of education reform coast to coast. Her book, Suddenly Homeschooling: A Quick Start Guide to Legally Homeschool in Two Weeks, is industry-acclaimed as it illustrates how homeschooling can rescue children and families from the public school system, and how anyone can begin homeschooling within a limited time-frame, with no teaching background whatsoever. A writer, a homeschool leader, and a women’s life coach, Marie-Claire mentors in a variety of areas that impact health, education and lifestyle. A conference speaker, she has appeared at FPEA, H.E.R.I., Home Education Council of America, The Luminous Mind, Vintage Homeschool Moms, iHomeschool Network, and many other events. Her articles have appeared in and on Holistic Parenting, CONNECT,Homefires, Homemaking Cottage, Kiwi, Circle of Moms, and hundreds of sites and blogs nationwide. Marie-Claire can be reached at contactmarieclaire@gmail.com.

Is the thought of purchasing curriculum for your homeschool making you nervous? Are you worried you might not find the right products, make the best choices, or get the lowest prices?

Believe me when I say this — you’re not alone. Every one of us struggles with curriculum choices at first. Sometimes, even for years at a time. This stuff takes time, my friend. We can’t know everything about our kids — at least not until we’ve worked with them for a while.

That’s why, today, I’m going to guide you through the process of making curriculum selections. I’m going to do it by having you ask yourself some really important questions. Your answers are going to help you filter out curriculum products that probably won’t work for your family. With any luck, they’ll also help you find the ones that will.

Right now, you’re thinking, “Isn’t there a lot more to buying homeschool curriculum than this?” Sure, probably, of course there is. But, I’ve gathered some of my best tips, and I know they’ll really help get the ball rolling.

Check this out, and see what I mean:

How do you feel now? Do you want to print this out and take it to the next curriculum fair or convention? Maybe you should place a copy on your desk for the next time you shop online?

Dr. Marie-Claire Moreau is a college professor who traded in her tenure to become a homeschool mom 20+ years ago. A homeschooling pioneer and the founder of many groups and organizations, she works to advance home education, and is an outspoken supporter of education reform coast to coast. Her book, Suddenly Homeschooling: A Quick Start Guide to Legally Homeschool in Two Weeks, is industry-acclaimed as it illustrates how homeschooling can rescue children and families from the public school system, and how anyone can begin homeschooling within a limited time-frame, with no teaching background whatsoever. A liaison for regional school-to-home organizations, a homeschool leader, and a women’s life coach, Marie-Claire mentors in a variety of areas that impact health, education and lifestyle. A conference speaker, she has appeared at FPEA, H.E.R.I., Home Education Council of America, Luminous Mind, Vintage Homeschool Moms, iHomeschool, and many other events. Her articles have appeared in and on Holistic Parenting, CONNECT, Homefires, Homemaking Cottage, Kiwi, Circle of Moms, and hundreds of sites and blogs nationwide. Marie-Claire can be reached at contactmarieclaire@gmail.com.

As more and more families choose homeschooling, more and more teens are discovering “Dual Enrollment”, the practice of taking discounted college courses that earn high school and college credit at the same time. Called ‘CC’ by some (from its origins at community colleges), dual enrollment is a popular way for academically-ready students to take advanced coursework while in high school, and make a serious dent in future college spending, too.

Though dual enrollment programs are now widely available, states have individual rules about which students may actually qualify, and the specific benefits they’ll receive. For instance, some states allow homeschoolers to attend 100% free, while others require families to cover the cost of tuition, textbooks, and other fees. Always look to the eligibility requirements for each state, and then to the benefits offered in each specific region. The finer details are what usually determine whether to add college courses to the student’s 4-Year High School Plan or not.

Perhaps you’ve been wondering if dual enrollment is right for your student? As with anything homeschooling, just because others do it doesn’t mean it’s right for your child. There are compelling reasons to be made on either side of the debate, and these usually have to do with saving money, advancing or delaying graduation, and exposure to campus life. Only you can decide what’s right for your own situation.

On a personal note, my children have all successfully used dual enrollment programs as a means of advancing their educations and saving us money. It worked enormously well for us, and looking back, we have no specific complaints. But, there are definite drawbacks to sending kids to college at younger ages, and a choice this big takes some serious conversations. Don’t wait until they’re already on campus to sit down and discuss things with your teen.

I have compiled a list of the most common PROs and CONs to using dual enrollment programs for homeschoolers. The list is comes from my own experience, experiences of other parents I meet, and conversations I have had with college counselors and instructors.

You are invited to consider the advantages of dual enrollment, making sure to study all the stickier points, too. Should any of these be deal-breakers for you or your teen, remember there are plenty of other ways to homeschool high school elsewhere on this web site.

Have I forgotten something important, or something you’d like to know as you consider dual enrollment for your student? Have anything about using college for homeschooling you’d like to share? Please, leave a COMMENT so my readers can gain a fuller understanding of dual enrollment in your area, or use the COMMENT to share your own experiences, too!

To your success,

Dr. Marie-Claire Moreau is a college professor who traded in her tenure to become a homeschool mom 20+ years ago. A homeschooling pioneer and the founder of many groups and organizations, she works to advance home education, and is an outspoken supporter of education reform coast to coast. Her book, Suddenly Homeschooling: A Quick Start Guide to Legally Homeschool in Two Weeks, is industry-acclaimed as it illustrates how homeschooling can rescue children and families from the public school system, and how anyone can begin homeschooling within a limited time-frame, with no teaching background whatsoever. A liaison for regional school-to-home organizations, a homeschool leader, and a women’s life coach and trainer, Marie-Claire mentors in a variety of areas that impact health, education and lifestyle. A conference speaker, she has appeared at FPEA, H.E.R.I., Home Education Council of America, Luminous Mind, Vintage Homeschool Moms, iHomeschool, and many other events. Her articles have appeared in and on Holistic Parenting, CONNECT, Homefires, Homemaking Cottage, Kiwi, Circle of Moms, and hundreds of sites and blogs nationwide. Marie-Claire can be reached at contactmarieclaire@gmail.com.

No matter how you slice it, teens looking to get into college need to be tested. Sometimes once. Sometimes more than once. Whatever your feelings about testing in general, measuring academic readiness via testing becomes a reality somewhere around 9th or 10th grade.

(But, wait a minute! Aren’t there colleges that are test-optional? Indeed, there are colleges that have gone “test-optional”. Check this list to get an idea which schools, and where they’re located. If you believe your student has a real chance at admission to those schools, just disregard this post.)

There are 2 major entrance exams used by colleges and universities today. These include the SAT, administered through The College Board and given several times a year at test centers across the nation; and the ACT, also administered throughout the year, and offered by ACT Student (all links below). Though the tests are similar, there are some important differences, too. When planning for college, students can prepare for either test — or both, to discover which one most accurately represents their skills.

Test preparation isn’t something that should wait until the year of the test itself. It can take several years for students to feel ready to succeed. That’s why I suggest starting the process in 9th grade (by 10th the latest). Though there are plenty of kids who earn great scores the first time around, it can take other kids a little time and experience to master test-taking skills. (Besides, scores also improve with practice, so taking tests multiple times usually pays off.)

You already know I recommend planning with the end in mind, then working backwards to put a high school plan together. When you do that, it becomes clear that students need to start prepping in 9th grade to be totally ready for a 10th or 11th grade test administration. Starting any later means success on the test isn’t guaranteed. And though nothing is really ever guaranteed, why not make sure you’ve done everything possible for your child’s success?

With the end in mind, I suggest making up a timetable of steps needed to prepare for college entrance exams. I’ve provided one for you, below. Just figure out the steps that’ll work for your specific student, then write them into the student’s high school plan.

What’s nice about this method is that the test prep becomes a part of the overall high school curriculum. As part of the curriculum, it’s unlikely you’ll forget the importance of test prepping your teen.

Here’s an example of just one test prep schedule that could work:

in 9th grade:

Fall semester —

Set up account and student profile on each test’s web site

Carefully study what each test is about

Get a general sense of which test(s) might be used: SAT or ACT (or both?)

Buy some study guides and find other ways your student can start studying

Make sure the homeschool curriculum addresses the subject areas that are on the test

Take notes about readiness as you go along

Ramp up your curriculum and lessons if necessary for test success

in 10th grade:

Fall semester —

Consider registering your student for a practice SAT exam (called the PSAT) at your local high school. It’s given every October, so make time in the student’s schedule to take the test

Carefully examine the PSAT score results when they come in, noting which areas to focus on for the next round

Spring semester —

Make sure your homeschool curriculum addresses all the subject areas on the selected test

Ramp up your curriculum and lessons as necessary for SAT or ACT test preparation

Keep practicing

in 11th grade:

Fall semester —

If you think your student might be eligible for the National Merit Scholarhip, sign up for the PSAT again (otherwise skip)

Ramp up test preparation and curriculum to be ready for the next test administration

Register student for either an SAT or an ACT exam on the next convenient date

Spring semester —

Continue test preparation efforts up until test date

Carefully examine score results when they come in, noting areas to focus on or improve

Register for another SAT or ACT; making sure student is academically prepared in all areas

in 12th grade:

Fall semester —

Register student for the final administration of either the SAT or ACT, whichever is the better fit

Make sure test scores for the chosen test (and chosen sitting) have been sent to the college(s) your student will be applying to

As you can see, this plan assumes your student will take an SAT or ACT exam several times. Though students are all a little different, and this plan may not be suitable for all teens, I’ve written it this way so you can see it could take a couple of years to finish studying and get the scores where you need them to be for college acceptance.

If you happen to have a student ready to take the SAT or ACT in 10th grade, in 9th grade, or even earlier, by all means, do that too. It’ll be up to you to adjust this schedule as it suits your student, their skills, and your goals for readiness over the high school years.

Dr. Marie-Claire Moreau is a college professor who traded in her tenure to become a homeschool mom 20+ years ago. The founder of homeschool groups and organizations, she works to advance home education, and is an outspoken supporter of education reform coast to coast. Her book, Suddenly Homeschooling: A Quick Start Guide to Legally Homeschool in Two Weeks, is industry-acclaimed as it illustrates how homeschooling can rescue children and families from the system, and how anyone can begin homeschooling within a limited time-frame and with no teaching background whatsoever. A liaison for regional school-to-home organizations and a homeschool leader in Florida, Marie-Claire also mentors homeschool families nationwide. A conference speaker, she has appeared at FPEA, H.E.R.I., Home Education Council of America, Luminous Mind, Vintage Homeschool Moms, iHomeschool, and many other events. Her articles have appeared in and on CONNECT, Homefires, Homemaking Cottage, Kiwi, Circle of Moms, and hundreds of other blogs nationwide. Marie-Claire can be reached at contactmarieclaire@gmail.com.

I receive a lot of questions about foreign language credits for high school. In this post, I’ll address some of the most common concerns I hear, and point you to some resources that may help you navigate this area of the homeschool high school curriculum.

I want to start by letting you know that foreign language courses can sometimes be called, ‘world language’ courses in some areas. They’re the same thing; just a slight semantic difference.

I also want to remind you (more on this below) that most colleges and universities are going to assume their applicants can show 2-4 credits of foreign language on a high school transcript before applying for admission. Because of this, I recommend any student who even thinks they might go to college take at least 2 foreign language courses in high school. And, in case you’ve forgotten all the other requirements traditionally needed for college, go back and read THIS or THIS.

To the question of how to learn foreign languages, there are dozens of ways homeschooled teens can learn languages to earn high school credit in your homeschool. Remember, when homeschooling, there are very few limitations (if any, depending on area) on what to study, and how to do it. The marketplace is full of curriculum, courses, immersion programs, tutors, and plenty of other ways of language instruction. I have a list of products to learn languages HERE that ought to get you started.

In addition to packaged products and curriculum, homeschoolers (actually, anyone) can learn languages in other ways, too. Think about learning languages through travel, by reading, watching foreign films, viewing television programming, joining international organizations, or spending time with relatives from other countries. Again, when homeschooling, the tools and the methods are entirely up to you.

A web site I love when thinking about world languages is called Omniglot. I continue to be amazed at how many languages exist around the globe, and I love sharing that web site with others. With so many choices, the hardest part may be to decide which language(s) to learn; many homeschoolers choose several throughout the high school years.

Revisiting the matter of college entrance, however, I want to spend the rest of this blog making sure you understand the implications of learning languages in homeschool in ways that cannot necessarily be documented.

There are several important things to consider if you want to lock in eligibility for future college admissions.

The first is making sure your student takes 2 consecutive courses in the same language, for instance, French I and II, Spanish I and II, or German III and IV. Students are certainly welcome to take more than expected, but colleges will usually look for 2 courses in the same language, so make sure you’ve got that covered.

Next — and much trickier – is figuring out how to document language learning on the transcript. And, while I understand some families are very relaxed about grading and credit requirements, I’m here to tell you that college-bound students need to give this suggestion some serious consideration. Here’s why:

When applying to college, not every school may recognize every language experience. Colleges are not only going to expect your student has taken 2 foreign language courses, but they’re going to want to see that the courses were offered at the high school level, and were truly worthy of high school credit.

That’s why, if a student is going to be seeking college admission, it’s important to offer foreign language courses in a way that can be documented, and colleges can understand. You may be surprised to hear that some of the foreign language courses homeschoolers use in high school are actually unacceptable to colleges and universities. A popular language learning system (one for your computer) comes to mind — most all of the colleges I talk to do not recognize that program. Be careful.

For college-bound students, perhaps the most prudent way to avoid foreign language mistakes is to speak to the colleges your student might actually apply to. Ask them if the credits you’re offering your student will qualify him/her for eligibility.

Additional resources for your tool-kit include the CLEP and AP examinations. Even if you’ve dismissed these programs for other reasons, you might want to give them a second look when teaching foreign language in homeschool. Certain CLEP examinations, for example, can be used to demonstrate mastery of world languages by examination. Though there are only a limited number of CLEP language exams (find the list HERE) this can be helpful for students who have studied those particular languages. CLEP is also a great option for students who already speak another language at home.

Advanced Placement (AP) exams are also available for selected language programs (view the list HERE), and just might be an option for the language your student is currently studying. (Note that not all colleges accept CLEP or AP credits. Again, it’s important to check with the colleges or universities your student might be applying to.)

I cannot speak to every individual case of foreign language credit and how it may qualify a student for college admission, but if I can help you personally, we can always schedule an appointment to chat about your unique situation. Submit a request here if you’d like to talk.

{This post is one in a series called, “Top 10 Fears”, in which I speak to the most common fears parents express about homeschooling the high school years. To see all of the topics, or start at the beginning, click HERE.}

Top Fear #4

Not having a school to do the schooling for you

So, you want to bring your kids home. But secretly, you’re scared to be person totally in charge of their education.

Will you ruin the kids? Probably not. But, what if you have no idea what you’re doing?

For anyone dreaming of homeschooling, but afraid to be left completely in charge, this is the post for you.

Homeschooling is a little bit different from state to state. But, luckily, there is one thing all states have in common — being able to enroll in a program that does the work for you. Or most of it.

In some states, this service can come from a private school. These are schools specifically designed for this purpose. By enrolling in these schools, families can keep their kids home, but still get oversight and guidance from a school that knows what they’re doing. There are many such schools from coast to coast. Selecting the right one means families can receive exactly the support they need — from guidance to curriculum selection to courses to having books shipped to the home – for an annual fee.

In other states, this might look like hiring a teacher or private tutor. In these cases, children meet with the tutor/teacher and complete the work at home (or somewhere else). Payment varies with the number of classes and services received. This, too, is a way for schooling to be parent-directed, yet almost entirely handled by someone else.

A third way is to select an all-in-one curriculum publisher/product, in which all lessons, tests (assessments), and materials are provided for a fee. These self-study programs are designed for children able to work independently, or with only a small amount of help. In some cases, these products come with automatic grading, too, so even grading papers becomes a completely hands-off process.

Dr. Marie-Claire Moreau is a college professor who traded in her tenure to become a homeschool mom 20+ years ago. The founder of many homeschool groups and organizations, she works to advance home education, and is an outspoken supporter of education reform coast to coast. Her book, Suddenly Homeschooling: A Quick Start Guide to Legally Homeschool in Two Weeks, is industry-acclaimed as it illustrates how homeschooling can rescue children and families from the system, and how anyone can begin homeschooling within a limited time-frame, or with no educational background whatsoever. A liaison for regional school-to-home organizations and a homeschool leader in Florida, Marie-Claire also mentors homeschool families nationwide. A conference speaker, she has appeared at FPEA, H.E.R.I., Home Education Council of America, and many other events. She currently writes for audiences at Quick Start Homeschool, which she founded in 2010, and as a guest writer on other sites as often as she can. Her articles have appeared in CONNECT magazine, on Homefires, atCircle of Moms, and she has contributed to hundreds of other blogs nationwide. Dr. Moreau can be reached at contactmarieclaire@gmail.com.

{This post is one in a series called, “Top 10 Fears”, in which I speak to the most common fears parents express about homeschooling the high school years. To see all of the topics, or start at the beginning, click HERE.}

Top Fear #1:

Not knowing what your child is supposed to take

No two high schoolers are exactly alike. The best way to address this fear is to look at the unique student, the unique family, and the state in which the student is homeschooled.

What does the student want to take?

What does the student want to study? What are his/her goals during high school, and after? Are there are special skills or talents the student wants to expand or emphasize in high school? What about deficiencies to make up — are there any to address before heading off to college or career?

The answers to these questions will help determine if a college-ready, career-ready, or other kind of high school experience is what the student is after.

What does the family think he/she should take?

It is important for families to examine why they homeschool, and to decide if a traditional or non-traditional high school plan is most appropriate for meeting those goals.

If a traditional (i.e., public school) course of study is the goal, those are the courses that should be included in the high school curriculum. This is the 4 math, 4 English, 3 science, etc., type of plan. Families should check the web sites for the state’s department of education or a local high school to find out what courses are included.

If a non-traditional (personalized) experience is planned, creative course scheduling should be used to meet these goals. This kind of plan is very individual, and varies from student to student.

What does the state say he/she must take?

Many states have no mandatory restrictions on what students must take in high school. A few do, however, so it’s important to check state requirements. Be sure the mandatory items are completed somewhere during the high school years, to insure successful homeschool completion where you live.

Dr. Marie-Claire Moreau is a college professor who traded in her tenure to become a homeschool mom 20+ years ago. The founder of many homeschool groups and organizations, she works to advance home education, and is an outspoken supporter of education reform coast to coast. Her book, Suddenly Homeschooling: A Quick Start Guide to Legally Homeschool in Two Weeks, is industry-acclaimed as it illustrates how homeschooling can rescue children and families from the system, and how anyone can begin homeschooling within a limited time-frame, or with no educational background whatsoever. A liaison for regional school-to-home organizations and a homeschool leader in Florida, Marie-Claire also mentors homeschool families nationwide. A conference speaker, she has appeared at FPEA, H.E.R.I., Home Education Council of America, and many other events. She currently writes for audiences at Quick Start Homeschool, which she founded in 2010, and as a guest writer on other sites as often as she can. Her articles have appeared in CONNECT magazine, on Homefires, at Circle of Moms, and she has contributed to hundreds of other blogs nationwide. Dr. Moreau can be reached at contactmarieclaire@gmail.com.